Wheel with high strength flexible spokes

ABSTRACT

A wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength. The wheel includes a nipple within the rim that receives the high strength spoke and allows for flexibility in adapting the spoke to wheels having differing shapes and sizes.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is continuation application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/666,186 entitled “Wheel with High Strength Flexible Spokes,”filed on Mar. 23, 2015 now U.S. Pat. No. 9,505,261, which is adivisional of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/492,573entitled “Wheel With High Strength Flexible Spokes,” filed on Jun. 8,2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,708, which claims the benefit of priorityand is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility patent application Ser.No. 13/487,253 entitled “Wheel With Flexible Wide-Body Spokes,” filed onJun. 4, 2012 and now U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,707.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to vehicular wheels havinghigh-strength and light-weight spokes, particularly bicycle, motorcycle,and wheelchair wheels.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The most common construction for bicycle wheels includes spokes made ofstainless steel or other metal. While stainless steel is strong, it isalso heavy. Therefore, the spokes must be made as thin as possible tomake them as light as possible. However, the thinner the spoke, the lessstrength it has. The thicker the spoke, the stronger it is. Therefore,in making spokes of steel, there is a tradeoff between making the spokesstrong and making them lightweight. Thus, there is a need for a wheelwith spokes that can be both lightweight and strong without having todeal with this tradeoff between the two. Another problem with steelspokes is that, if they are bent, they weaken and ultimately fail suchthat they must be replaced if bent.

One solution to this problem was presented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,190which issued to Harold Johnson on May 5, 1992, for an invention entitled“High Modulus Multifilament Spokes And Method” (hereinafter the “'190patent”). The '190 patent is fully incorporated herein by thisreference. The '190 patent discloses a high modulus multifilamentnon-rigid and rigid wheel spoke that includes a fiber mid-portionbetween a first and second end having attachment members affixedthereto. The '190 patent also discloses methods of supporting a hubwithin a wheel rim by means of a plurality of spokes or by means ofcontinuous lengths of spokes.

While the device presented in the '190 patent clearly made advancementsover the state of the art at that time, the device nevertheless has itsshortcomings. For instance, the small diameter of the filament spokesrequires that the spokes be maintained in a substantially axialarrangement with its connectors. This, unfortunately, makes themanufacturing of wheels incorporating the '190 technology more difficultdue to the of off-axis tension. Specifically, even though the spokes ofthe '190 patent are orders of magnitude stronger than their metalliccounterparts, the strength of the '190 spokes is slightly decreased fromits maximum strength due to the bend in the spokes as they leave thewheel rim when installed in a wheel.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,281 which issued on Mar. 14, 2000, to RichardCampbell and entitled “Low Rotational Mass Bicycle Wheel System”(hereinafter the '281 patent), disclosed a bicycle wheel system havingspokes extending radially from hub to spoke. The spokes are providedwith fittings at its rim end which are constructed with minimal mass andfittings at the hub end which allow adjustment of the tension of thespoke. The spokes are constructed of a bundle of liquid crystal fibershaving no significant creep surrounded by an extruded plastic jacket.

While the spoke presented in the '281 patent certainly represents amilestone in bicycle wheel technology and light-weight wheelmanufacturing, it nevertheless has its challenges with implementation.First of all, there are manufacturing challenges in keeping the spokesaligned with their connectors. In narrow-width wheel applications, thedevice disclosed in the '281 are difficult to install as the alignmentis important. This alignment results in increased assembly costs andoverall product costs.

The present invention resolves these problems by providing spokes thatare both lighter in weight than steel and significantly stronger thansteel, and that are flexible such that they can bend without sufferingdamage. Moreover, due to their significant strength and durability,fewer numbers of spokes are required on wheels while still providing alightweight wheel with superior strength.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The wheel with flexible wide-body spokes of the present inventionprovides the aforementioned advantages by providing a wheel including arim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous materialthat causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger thancomparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient suchthat they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength.

Alternative embodiments of the wheel with high strength flexible spokesof the present invention include nipples for use within the wheel rimsthat provide flexibility in the angle which the spoke extends from therim towards the wheel hub. A shortened nipple which sits fully withinthe rim such that the collar rests firmly against the inside of the rimand is accessible through the access hole formed in the rim is securedusing a blade key received within a keyway for installation. Analternative includes a nipple formed to have a shoulder that is roundedand can pivot slightly within the rim to accommodate a slight departureangle for the spoke, and is held in place using a key corresponding to akeyway. A rounded nipple is sized to be received fully within the rim ofa wheel and is formed with a rounded surface to mate closely with theinternal surface of a wheel rim such that the rounded nipple can besecured in place with the spoke extending from the wheel at an angle,while maintaining the straightness of the spoke.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The aforementioned and other advantages of the wheel with flexiblespokes of the present invention will become more apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon making a thorough review and study of thefollowing detailed description of the invention when reviewed inconjunction with the drawings in which like references numerals refer tolike parts, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first preferred embodiment of the wheel withflexible spokes of the present invention, showing the rim, hub, spokesbetween rim and hub, tubes attaching each spoke to the rim, and anchorsattaching each spoke to the hub;

FIG. 2 is a rear detail view of the first preferred embodiment of thewheel with flexible spokes of the present invention, showing the hub,the angle between spokes on the left side of the wheel and spokes on theright side of the wheel, and the angle of the hub surface at the pointof attachment of each spoke to the hub;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first preferred embodiment ofthe wheel with flexible spokes of the present invention, taken acrossline 3-3 of FIG. 1, showing cross-sectional portions of the rim and hub,and showing how each tube attaches each spoke to the rim via a nipple inthe rim, and how each anchor attaches each spoke to the hub;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first preferred embodiment ofthe wheel with flexible spokes of the present invention, taken acrossline 4-4 of FIG. 1, showing a cross-sectional view of the fibers andjacket of one of the spokes;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first preferred embodiment ofthe wheel with flexible spokes of the present invention showingcross-sectional portions of the rim and hub, and showing how each tube,once attached to the rim, would extend away at an angle from the nipplein the rim;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of thewheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present inventionshowing cross-sectional portions of the rim and hub, and showing ashortened nipple sized to be fully received within the rim and formedwith a keyway to receive a key when secured during assembly of thewheel, and with the spoke extending away at an angle from the nipple inthe rim;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of thewheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present inventionshowing portions of the rim and hub, and showing a shouldered nipplesized to be fully received within the rim and formed with a keyway toreceive a key when secured during assembly of the wheel, and with theshouldered nipple pivoting slightly within the rim to adjust for slightangular adjustments within the rim, and the spoke extending away at anangle from the nipple in the rim;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment ofwheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present inventionshowing cross-sectional portions of the rim and hub, and showing aspherical nipple sized to be fully received within the rim and formedwith a keyway to receive a key when secured during assembly of thewheel, and with the spherical nipple rotating within the rim toaccommodate the angular positioning of a spoke extending away from therim with little or no angular change with the tube head and spoke; and

FIG. 10 is an exemplary embodiment of a key for tightening the highstrength flexible spokes of the present invention, and includes a handlehaving a shaft leading to a head formed with a number of keys sized andpositioned to cooperatively engage the keyways on nipples of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a side view of a first preferred embodiment of thewheel with flexible spokes of the present invention is shown andgenerally designated 100. In FIG. 1, the side of wheel 100 facing theviewer can be referred to as the right side of the wheel 100. The sideof wheel 100 opposite the right side can be referred to as the left sideof the wheel 100. The wheel 100 has a wheel axis 104, and a rim 110which has an inner perimeter 112 and an outer perimeter 114.

Still referring to FIG. 1, with reference to FIG. 3, distributedsymmetrically along inner perimeter 112 are spoke holes 120. Each spokehole 120 has a spoke hole width 122. Along the outer perimeter 114 arenipple access holes 124 (not visible in FIG. 1), one nipple access hole124 adjacent each spoke hole 120. Wheel 100 further includes a hub 130having a right flange 132 and a left flange 134 (not visible, behindright flange 132). Each flange 132 and 134 has an inner surface 136 andan outer surface 138. In each flange 132 and 134 are flange holes 140,each flange hole 140 corresponding to a unique spoke hole 120. Eachflange hole 140 has an inner opening 142 in the corresponding innersurface 136, and an outer opening 144 in the corresponding outer surface138. Hub 130 also has a barrel 148 which receives an axle of a bicycle.

Wheel 100 further includes non-rigid spoke members, or spokes 150. Eachspoke 150 has non-rigid fibers 152 (not visible this Figure) covered bya jacket 154 having an inner diameter 156 (not visible) and an outerdiameter 158 which is also the width 158 of spoke 150. Each spoke 150has a length 160. Fibers 152 are substantially continuous along thelength 160 of spoke 150. Alternatively, one or more of fibers 152 may beless than continuous along the length of spoke 150.

Each spoke 150 has an inner end 162 adjacent hub 130, and an outer end164 adjacent rim 110. Each spoke 150 has a tube 170 about its outer end164, and each tube 170 is formed with a tapered bore 171 opening awayfrom the midpoint of the spoke. Each tube 170 is affixed to itscorresponding outer end 164 by inserting the fibers into the tube, andfilling the tube with epoxy 175. Once hardened, the epoxy 175 and fibers152 form a wedge within the tapered bore 171 such that any tension onthe spoke draws the hardened wedge against the taper thereby securingthe fiber within the tube. Alternatively, tube 170 may be affixed toouter end 164 by any other material of similar strength.

Tube 170 may be equipped with a hexagonal, reinforced head 165 whichprovides for added strength at the hub-end of the tube 170. This ishelpful in preventing breakage for a non-axial tension on spoke 150, andfacilitates the tightening of spoke 150.

Each tube 170 has a tube axis 172 and external spoke threads 174. Eachspoke 150 also has an anchor (or eyelet or ferrule) 180 about its innerend 162. Each anchor 180 is formed with a tapered bore 181 opening awayfrom the midpoint of the spoke. Each anchor 180 is affixed to itscorresponding inner end 162 by inserting the fibers into the anchor, andfilling the tapered bore 181 with epoxy 163. Once hardened, the epoxyand fibers form a wedge within the tapered bore 181 formed in the anchor180 such that any tension on the spoke draws the hardened wedge againstthe taper thereby securing the fiber 150 within the anchor 180.Alternatively, anchor 180 may be affixed to inner end 162 by any othermaterial of similar strength.

Each flange hole 140 is wider than spoke 150 but narrower than anchor180, such that tube 170 about outer end 164 can be passed into inneropening 142 and out of outer opening 144, and such that the rest ofspoke 150 can then be passed through flange hole 140 until anchor 180comes into contact with inner surface 136 around inner opening 142,which causes inner end 162 to be retained in flange hole 140 by anchor180.

Wheel 100 also includes nipples 190. One nipple 190 is shown in FIG. 1in broken line, inside rim 110. There is a nipple 190 between each spokehole 120 and its corresponding nipple access hole 124. Each nipple 190has a nipple opening 192, nipple threads 194 inside nipple opening 192,a collar 196, and a nipple head 198. Once each spoke 150 is passedthrough flange hole 140 until anchor 180 comes into contact with innersurface 136 around inner opening 142, tube 170 is positioned andthreaded into the corresponding nipple 190 via inter-engagement of spokethreads 174 with nipple threads 194. This causes tube 170 to be retainedin nipple 190 such that tube axis 172 is perpendicular to wheel axis 104(shown in FIG. 1). The retention of tube 170 in nipple 190, and of innerend 162 in flange hole 140 by anchor 180, causes spoke 150 to be heldtaut between rim 110 and hub 130.

FIG. 1 shows eight (8) spokes 150 attached to right flange 132, andeight (8) spokes 150 attached to left flange 134 (not visible, behindright flange 132), for a total of sixteen (16) spokes 150. Wheel 100 mayalternatively have more or fewer than sixteen (16) spokes 150. Forexample, wheel 100 may have twelve (12) spokes 150, six (6) spokes 150attached to each of flanges 132 and 134. While it is also possible tohave different numbers of spokes 150 attached to each of flanges 132 and134, having the same number of spokes attached to each of flanges 132and 134 balances the load on the flanges 132 and 134.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of hub 130. FIG. 2 shows the angle that one of thespokes 150 is attached to right flange 132, and the angle that one ofthe spokes 150 is attached to left flange 134. In FIG. 2, the right sideof wheel 100 is on the right side of FIG. 2, and the left side of wheel100 is on the left side of FIG. 2. Broken line 230 in FIG. 2 representsa plane 230 that bisects wheel 100 between the right side and left sideof wheel 100. Plane 230 is perpendicular to wheel axis 104. Each outersurface 138 has the shape of a conical section that has an angle 240 towheel axis 104. Each spoke 150 extends perpendicularly from thecorresponding outer surface 138. Therefore, each spoke 150 extends fromouter surface 138 at an angle 250 to plane 230. This means that themagnitude of angle 260 between spoke 150 attached to right flange 132and spoke 150 attached to left flange 134, is twice the magnitude ofangle 250.

FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional detail view of a spoke 150 withits inner end 162 retained in flange hole 140 by anchor 180, and tube170 about to be received in nipple 190 in rim 110. FIG. 3 shows hownipple 190 is retained in spoke hole 120. Spoke hole width 122 allowsthe portion of nipple 190 around nipple opening 192 to pass throughspoke hole 120, but does not avow collar 196 to pass through spoke hole120, such that nipple is retained in spoke hole 120 by the tension ofspoke 150 on nipple 190 once tube 170 is threaded into nipple 190. FIG.3 also shows spoke threads 174 which inter-engage with nipple threads194 to thread tube 170 into nipple 190. With tube 170 retained in nipple190, tube axis 172 is perpendicular to wheel axis 104 (not shown) andintersects the corresponding spoke hole 120. Spoke holes 120 lie inplane 230. While spoke holes 120 may alternatively be adjacent plane230, spoke holes 120 being in plane 230 causes the forces of spokes 150to be placed on rim 110 where plane 230 intersects rim 110, which is themiddle of the inner perimeter 112 of rim 110. With spoke holes 120 inplane 230, and each tube 170 received in the corresponding nipple 190,tube axis 172 also lies in plane 230.

In FIG. 3, tube axis 172 coincides with the broken line representingplane 230. However, because each spoke 150 extends at angle 250 to plane230, each spoke 150 extends from its tube 170 at angle 250 to tube axis172. This means that there is a bend in spoke 150 at an angle 250 at thepoint 320 where spoke 150 protrudes from tube 170. With steel spokes,such a bend would weaken the spoke and ultimately cause the spoke tofail. However, with spokes 150, such a bend does not damage spokes 150because fibers 152 are flexible and resilient yet strong such thatspokes 150 retain their integrity and strength even when bent undertension in the manner described. Therefore, spokes 150 can bend withoutweakening or failing. Furthermore, each of spokes 150 is three times asstrong, and weighs half as much, as a steel spoke that would otherwisebe used in its place. This allows the width 158 of each of spokes 150 tobe greater than that of a steel spoke that would be used in its place.In the alternative, the width 158 of each spoke 150 may be less than orequal to the width of a steel spoke that would be used in its place; thestrength of each of spokes 150 may be greater or less than three timesthat of a steel spoke that would be used in its place; and the weight ofeach of spokes 150 may be greater or less than half that of a steelspoke that would be used in its place.

Rim 110, hub 130, tube 170, anchor 180 and nipple 190, in a preferredembodiment, are made of aluminum. Alternatively, any of rim 110, hub130, tube 170, anchor 180 or nipple 190 may be made of any othermaterial of comparable strength. In a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, fibers 152 are a bundle of thermotropic liquidcrystal fibers that exhibit high strength, low creep, and weatherresistance. For instance, the fibers could be a PBO fiber such asZylon®, a strong yet lightweight fiber, available from Toyobo.Alternatively, fibers 152 may be made of any other material havingcomparable weight and strength. Jacket 154 is made of Rilsan®, ahigh-performance polyamide. Alternatively, jacket 154 may be made of anyother material having comparable weight and strength. Each nipple accesshole 124 allows access to nipple head 198 so that it can be turned tofacilitate the threading of nipple 190 onto tube 170. For instance, ahexagonal head nut-driver may be positioned over nipple 190 and rotatedto tighten spoke 150 in place.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional detail view of the inside of a spoke 150,showing the fibers 152, and inner diameter 156 of jacket 154. Fibers 152are gathered in forty-four (44) bundles 410 of nine-hundred ninety-six(996) filaments each bundle, for a total of 43,824 filaments in spoke150. This great number of filaments is one factor contributing to thegreat strength of spoke 150, while minimizing the weight of spoke 150.Spoke 150 has a breaking strength of 3,600 pounds. Alternatively, thenumber of bundles 410 may be greater or less than 44; the number offilaments in each bundle 410 may be greater or less than 996; and thebreaking strength of spoke 150 may be greater or less than 3,600 pounds.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of the first preferredembodiment of the wheel with flexible spokes of the present inventionshowing cross-sectional portions of the rim and hub is shown. As can beappreciated from FIG. 5, the width of rim 110 is just slightly widerthan the width of nipple 190. As a result, it is necessary that thenipple be aligned so that the tube extends radically inward from rim110. Because of this positioning, it is important that spoke 150 beflexible as it leaves tube 190 so as to accommodate angle 250 withoutany decrease in strength and durability. Due to the number of fiberstrands contained within spoke 150, there is no noticeable decrease instrength despite the off-axis tension.

When tension is applied to spoke 150, collar 196 strikes the insidesurface of rim 110 and maintains the nipple, and corresponding sleeve,in its perpendicular arrangement.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 9, a number of alternative embodimentsof the wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present inventionare shown and include variations on the nipple and rim.

Referring initially to FIG. 6, the wheel with high strength flexiblespokes of the present invention is shown and includes a shortened nipplegenerally designated 450. Shortened nipple 450 is sized to be fullyreceived within the rim 110. Nipple 450 includes a nipple head 452 and acollar 460 sized to rest against the interior of the rim 110 and allownipple opening 456 with diameter 458 to pass through spoke hole 120.Shortened nipple 450 is formed with a threaded bore 454 passinglongitudinally along axis 172 from nipple opening 456. Threaded bore 454is sized to threadably receive head tube 170.

Shortened nipple 450 is formed with a keyway 462 to receive a key whensecured during assembly of the wheel. More specifically, nipple head 452is formed with a pattern of keyways 462 to receive a correspondinglyshaped key to maintain the rotational position of nipple 450 along axis172 during the installation of spoke 150. By inserting a key intokeyways 462, the nipple 450 may be held in place while head tube isrotated such that head tube threads 174 enter nipple 450.

As shown in FIG. 6, spoke 150 may extend away from axis 172 by an angle250 as described in conjunction with alternative embodiments.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a cross-sectional view of an alternativeembodiment of the wheel with high strength flexible spokes of thepresent invention is equipped with a shouldered nipple generallydesignated 480. Shouldered nipple 480 includes an insert 482 having adiameter 484 which is slightly less than the diameter of spoke hole 120of rim 110. Shoulder 484 is larger in diameter than insert diameter 484such that the insert shoulder 484 rests on the inside surface of rim110.

Shouldered nipple 480 is formed with a threaded bore 488 which passesfrom nipple opening 483 through to nipple head 486, and includes threads492 matching threads 174. Threaded bore 488 is sized to threadablyreceive threads 174 on tube head 170 during the assembly of the wheelwith high strength flexible spokes of the present invention.

From FIG. 7 it can been seen that shoulder 484 is rounded andcorresponds with a mating surface 494 on rim 110 such that the axis 172of nipple 480 may vary slightly within rim 110. Specifically, the matingsurface 494 allows the shouldered nipple 480 to pivot slightly withinthe rim 110 to accommodate slight angular adjustments within the rim,such that the spoke 150 can extend away at an angle 250 from the nipple480 and rim 110.

A number of keyways 490 are formed in nipple head 486 such that acorresponding key (not shown) can be inserted into keyways 490 tomaintain the rotational position of nipple 480 during the threading oftube head 170 into threaded bore 488, and when tightening the spoke 150using hexagonal head 165. Also, nipple 480 is sized to be fully receivedwithin access hole 124 in rim 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, cross-sectional views of an alternativeembodiment of wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the presentinvention showing cross-sectional portions of the rim and hub, andshowing a spherical, or rounded, nipple generally designated 500.Rounded nipple 500 is formed with a spherical or near spherical body 502having a bore 506 along axis 172 and formed with threads 504 through end510.

Rim 110 is formed with nipple seat 508 that is shaped to receive roundednipple 500 to retain nipple 500 in position along axis 172 of rim 100.FIG. 9 depicts the insertion of a spoke 150 into rounded nipple 500 bythreadably rotating spoke 150 along axis 518 and advancing the spoke 150in direction 514.

Rounded nipple 500 is formed with a number of keyways 512 sized toreceive a key, such as the key 550 shown in FIG. 10, having a handle 552and a shaft 554 leading to a head 556 formed with keys 558 positionedand sized to correspond to keyways 512 on rounded nipple 500. It is tobe appreciated that the number, size, positioning of the keys 558 mayvary to accommodate keyway size, shapes, and patterns of nipplesdescribed herein.

Head 556 of key 550 is formed to have a diameter 560 that is less thanthe diameter of access hole 124. Accordingly, key 550 can be insertedinto rim 110 during the wheel assembly process to engage keys 558 intokeyways 512 to maintain the rotational position of rounded nipple 500 ashead tube 170 is threaded into nipple 500.

Also from FIG. 9, the rotation of rounded nipple 500 within rim 110 isshown. Rounded nipple 500 rotates within the rim 110 to accommodate theangular positioning of a spoke 150 extending away from the rim 110 withlittle or no angular change with the tube head and spoke. Specifically,rounded nipple 500 rests against nipple seats 508 and can rotate about acenter of rotation 522 such that the axis 518 of tube head 174 can movewithin range 520. This range 520 allows the spoke 150 to maintain arelatively straight line between tube head 174 and anchor 180 of hub130. This straightness along axis 518 provides additional strength asall fibers 152 within spoke 150 are stressed similarly along thelongitudinal axis of the spoke.

Referring now to FIG. 10, an exemplary embodiment of a key tool fortightening the high strength flexible spokes of the present invention isshown and generally designated 550. Key tool 550 includes a handle 552having a shaft 554 leading to a head 556 formed with a number of keys558 sized and positioned to cooperatively engage the keyways on nipplesof the present invention. The diameter 560 of head 556 is intended to besized to be insertable through the access hole 124 in the rim 110 asdisclosed herein to engage the nipples described to facilitate the highstrength flexible spokes of the present invention. It is to beappreciated that the key tool 550 is shown in FIG. 10 to have four keys558 which, in a preferred embodiment, correspond to the inserts shown tohave four keyways. It is to be appreciated further, that the number,size and positioning of keys 558 can vary to accommodate a nipple formedwith different configurations of keyways.

While the wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the presentinvention as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable ofobtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated,it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of preferred andalternative embodiments of the invention and that no limitations areintended to the details of construction or design herein shown otherthan as described in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A high strength flexible spoke comprising: a first end and asecond end and a flexible mid-portion extending between said first endand said second end; an anchor formed with a bore to receive said firstend and wherein said flexible mid-portion extends through said anchorand protrudes from said anchor; a tube having a tube axis and formedwith a bore to receive said second end wherein said flexible mid-portionextends through said tube and protrudes from said tube at a spoke anglefrom said tube axis creating a bend in said flexible mid-portion; and anipple having a bore configured to secure said tube.
 2. The highstrength flexible spoke of claim 1, wherein said flexible mid-portioncomprises a plurality of bundles with a plurality of non-rigid fibermaterial filaments in each bundle.
 3. The high strength flexible spokeof claim 2, wherein said tube further comprises external threads andsaid bore of said nipple is formed with threads to threadably receivesaid external threads of said tube.
 4. The high strength flexible spokeof claim 3, wherein said nipple further comprises a collar.
 5. The highstrength flexible spoke of claim 3, wherein said nipple furthercomprises a shoulder.
 6. A high strength flexible spoke comprising: afirst end and a second end and a flexible mid-portion extending betweensaid first end and said second end, said flexible mid-portion comprisinga flexible spoke material covered by a jacket; an anchor formed with abore to receive said first end and wherein said flexible mid-portionextends through said anchor and protrudes from said anchor at a firstspoke angle; a tube having a tube axis and formed with a bore to receivesaid second end wherein said flexible mid-portion extends through saidtube and protrudes from said tube at a second spoke angle from said tubeaxis creating a bend in said flexible mid-portion; and a nipplecomprising a nipple head with a keyway and a bore configured to securesaid tube.
 7. The high strength flexible spoke of claim 6, wherein saidkeyway of said nipple is configured to receive a key, wherein said keyis utilized to hold said nipple in place.
 8. The high strength flexiblespoke of claim 7, wherein said tube further comprises external threadsand said bore of said nipple is formed with threads to threadablyreceive said external threads of said tube.
 9. The high strengthflexible spoke of claim 8, wherein said nipple further comprises acollar.
 10. The high strength flexible spoke of claim 8, wherein saidnipple further comprises a shoulder.
 11. A high strength flexible spokecomprising: a first end and a second end and a flexible mid-portionextending between said first end and said second end, said flexiblemid-portion comprising a non-rigid spoke material covered by a jacket;an anchor formed with a tapered bore to receive said first end andwherein said flexible mid-portion extends through said anchor andprotrudes from said anchor at a first spoke angle; a tube having a tubeaxis and formed with a tapered bore to receive said second end andformed with external threads wherein said flexible mid-portion extendsthrough said tube and protrudes from said tube at a second spoke anglefrom said tube axis creating a bend in said flexible mid-portion; and anipple formed with a threaded bore to threadably receive said externalthreads of said tube.
 12. The high strength flexible spoke of claim 11,wherein said non-rigid spoke material comprises a plurality of bundleswith a plurality of non-rigid fiber material filaments in each bundle.13. The high strength flexible spoke of claim 11, wherein said nipplefurther comprises a collar.
 14. The high strength flexible spoke ofclaim 11, wherein said nipple further comprises a shoulder.
 15. The highstrength flexible spoke of claim 11, wherein said nipple furthercomprises a nipple head with a keyway.
 16. The high strength flexiblespoke of claim 15, wherein said keyway of said nipple head is configuredto receive a key.